First Suburbs Coalition

Latest News

Next meeting: May 2010

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The coalition has adopted an updated Mission, Values and Priorities statement. This will guide the future work of the coalition. Priorities include assuming leadership on important regional issues facing first suburbs, new programmatic initiatives, and supporting its individual members as they apply the values to their local community operations. More»

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The coalition has adopted a resolution that supports the adaptive scenario being considered by MARC and encourages the adoption of policies to implement it. The vote was unanimous with the representatives from the city of Overland Park and the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors abstaining. Read the resolution (pdf) »

First Suburbs: Conserving the Past...Creating the Future

First suburbs are communities where a majority of the housing was built shortly after World War II and limited amounts of undeveloped land exist within the city's boundaries. These communities face common issues related to the age of their private and public infrastructure and their lack of green fields for development. However, they also have a number of assets including strong leadership, strong community institutions and excellent geographic location.

The First Suburbs Coalition was formed in 2002. After a period of study, coalition members decided that they could more effectively address the issues they faced by working together, sharing information and forging a larger partnership between the public and private sector.It has initiated a number of successful programs, especially to promote housing remodeling in member communities. The coalition is guided by this vision:

The mission of the First Suburbs Coalition is to promote sustainable communities with healthy environments, vital economies and a high quality of life for all current residents and future generations by promoting the preservation, reinvestment and revitalization of first suburb neighborhoods, commercial areas and infrastructure.

The coalition works through working groups comprised of elected officials, local government staff and private sector partners. The coalition currently has three working groups, each with their own agenda. If you are interested in participating in one or more of these working groups, contact Dean Katerndahl.